Someone from Texas called my parents’ house in Newington today (I must still be listed in the phone book at that address) offering to help me with my bandwidth, either by mirroring my site or by making a donation. I’ve had several similar offers via e-mail.
I deeply appreciate the offers. However, while it’s true that I’ve had some bandwidth issues, it’s nothing I can’t handle. You have to realize, it’s not like I’m streaming video or something — the only reason I’m having problems at all is that my site presently resides on a shared server, so there are artificially imposed limits on my bandwidth. Thus, I did have to pay $75 to add an extra 30 GB of bandwidth for the last two days of this month, and I am going to upgrade to a dedicated server (with 1000 GB of bandwidth, which should be plenty) for next month. That will cost either $149 or $219, so we’re talking, at most, ~$300 total. That’s why I haven’t put up a PayPal tip-jar or anything like that. It’s not like I’m thousands of dollars in the hole or something (as I believe Jordon Golson was after posting the tsunami videos and getting linked by Drudge).
Several of my personal friends have offered to chip in, which I’ll gladly accept, but I don’t want to publicly beg for contributions at a time when the people of the Gulf coast need money much more than I do. Those with the ability and inclination to donate money should donate it to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, not the Brendan Loy bandwidth relief effort. :) I don’t want my own petty problems to distract from the real financial need. So again, I appreciate the offers, I really, really do. But if you want to help out, please make a donation to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army or some other charity. Make it in my name, if you want to. But don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. Unless I get linked by Drudge. ;)
|
Categories: Hurricane Katrina
|
September 1st, 2005 at 1:03:01 am
The Help Wiki has it, but could you also put clear links on the sidebar for the missing/found websites, since you’re so high traffic? Thanks. Got lots of friends talking about finding loved ones.
September 1st, 2005 at 1:05:13 am
Yeah, that’s one of the things I plan to do tonight before going to bed… the whole sidebar needs updating.
September 1st, 2005 at 2:06:04 am
You’re one hell of a dude.
Kudos.
September 1st, 2005 at 2:15:47 am
I’ve been turning to your blog all week for its timely and accurate information. Thank you for all the work you’ve put into it.
September 1st, 2005 at 2:36:33 am
Your blog has been a godsend for those searching for information, and given the explosion and wide distribution, I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that you _could_ be linked to Drudge! Don’t joke - may yet happen.
September 1st, 2005 at 2:44:05 am
Hey–I live in Seattle and this web site has been WONDERFUL. I check this site before I even check the news to see what’s going on down in the south. I remember Monday night, after the hurricane passed through, I read FOR THE FIRST TIME on your site about the levee breakdown (no one else appeared to be reporting it), and low and behold the next morning it’s on the news. You’re awesome.
September 1st, 2005 at 2:54:21 am
Thanks everybody!
Re: Drudge… he rarely links to blogs, unless they’ve got something really specific & newsworthy… so unless I am literally breaking a story that no one else has, I seriously doubt he would link to me. And considering that I’m getting most of my news from the traditional media — my role is simply in aggregating that information in one place, which I couldn’t do nearly as well without all the wonderful commenters, BTW :) — it’s highly unlikely that I would literally “break” a story. Suppose Drudge had wanted to talk about the levee breach, for example… he would have cited CNN, where I got the information from, not me.
But, hey, on the off chance Drudge links to me, I’ll deal with it. Then I probably will have to take up a collection, and/or accept donated bandwidth. All the more reason to have the backup site — don’t forget to bookmark it! :)
September 1st, 2005 at 8:43:55 am
Brendan, you may be underestimating your impact these past few days. I live in MA and have found your site to be the most up to date and informative on Katrina of all sites I’ve visited, so much so that yours is the one I visit first now. You, and your wonderful family, have been providing a valuable service to many. If you are in need to continue providing this service, then it’s a worthy cause. Keep up the good work!
September 1st, 2005 at 9:25:41 am
You have a great head on your shoulders for such a young man, proud of you.